Write a Cover Letter

Write a Cover Letter

Does your application need a cover letter? In some cases, it does, in others, it is optional. Note that only the scientific review officer sees your cover letter, not the reviewers or program officers.

When a Cover Letter Is Required

You must have a cover letter for the following:

Approvals to submit. For applications requiring our approval to submit, state that you have attached a copy of the NIAID acceptance letter to the PHS 398 Cover Letter attachment for:

Genomic data. Explain that the proposed study will generate large-scale human or non-human genomic data. Also note if you plan to access data in the NIH genome-wide association study (GWAS) data repository.

Corrected applications. Include a complete cover letter if you did not pass validations and submitted a corrected application after the deadline. Note that this will render your application late. See the next bullet.